NBA: Noah nets 23 points as Bulls demolish 76ers

AP, CHICAGO

Nikola Pekovic, center, of the Minnesota Timberwolves snares a rebound before Steve Nash, right of the LA Lakers in their NBA game in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday.

Photo: AFP

Joakim Noah had 23 points, 21 rebounds and a career-high 11 blocks for his third career triple-double as the Chicago Bulls ended a two-game losing streak with a 93-82 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.

Carlos Boozer added 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng had 15 and 12 points respectively, as the Bulls completed a three-game regular-season series sweep.

Noah tied the Bulls record for blocks in a regulation game, previously set by Artis Gilmore in 1977.

Bryant and Jodie Meeks each hit four of Los Angeles’ 16 three-pointers, while Meeks finished with 16 points. The Lakers (29-30) have won 12 of 17 and five of seven while moving within two games of Houston for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with their longest stretch of solid play in this tumultuous season.

J.J. Barea scored 20 points and Luke Ridnour added 19 for the short-handed Timberwolves, who have lost four straight and 20 of 24.

Los Angeles’ mastery of Minnesota is the NBA’s longest active winning streak in any matchup.

Ricky Rubio had 13 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds, but Minnesota never threatened to get their first win over the Lakers since March 6, 2007.

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